Stevens High School teacher Linda Beaulieu was on vacation in Puerto Rico when she suddenly fell ill and died.

Her death is the second time this school year that the school has lost a member of its staff.

Her colleagues said she was an inspiration to her students and her coworkers.

"I often thought to myself, 'If I wanted to have a poster-child for what a teacher should be, it was Linda Beaulieau,'" colleague Doug Morton said.

Beaulieu spent nearly three decades at Stevens High School. Both students and teachers said they were shocked by the loss.

"Some of us hit their stride: she is in graduate school; she is getting her master's; she is traveling. I am writing a recommendation for her because she wanted to study in Scotland this summer, and you are right in the middle of it, and then we realize how fragile we are," colleague John Bennett said.

Her colleagues said she also formed strong bonds with students.

"Her ability to connect with our students was amazing. The saddest thing is the number of kids who will not get to work with her," colleague Tricia Taylor said.